Where do you find your bikes?
02-09-12, 01:01 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 13
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Where do you find your bikes?
I have a 1968 Hercules 3-speed, a his/hers pair of Raleigh Sports all-gold edition, an Austro-Daimler Superleight 10-speed, and 1950's Western Flyer step-through that I have been fixing up for my girlfriend. I have never owned a fixed gear bike and am not buying into the hype but I have heard how fun they are to ride and my curiousity has gotten the best of me. I want a really unique frame, like a Frejus, and am just not having any luck finding one. All of my vintage bikes, I've found on Craigslist and from what I have seen, there are very few deals to be found on anything that is worth collecting on Craigslist. Maybe it is because I am in Florida and vintage, steel, bikes in good condition are either hard to come by or are in horrible shape because of the salt air and corrosive environment. I have looked on Ebay too and I am just apprehensive about spending a significant amount of money on something that I've never seen with my own two eyes. Any suggestions on where you find your deals?
02-09-12, 01:23 PM
#2
Fat Guy on a Little Bike
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 15,944
Bikes: Two wheeled ones
Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1254 Post(s)
Liked 345 Times
in
174 Posts
A mixture of Craigslist, swap meets, sidewalks, Italy and Serotta Forums.
Last edited by KonAaron Snake; 02-09-12 at 01:27 PM.
02-09-12, 01:25 PM
#3
Senior Member
Randyjawa finds them for me.
__________________
Bikes on Flickr
I prefer email to private messages. You can contact me at justinhughes@me.com
Bikes on Flickr
I prefer email to private messages. You can contact me at justinhughes@me.com
02-09-12, 01:29 PM
#5
missing in action
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,483
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 42 Post(s)
Liked 49 Times
in
29 Posts
I've seen quite a bit in your area's craigslist (presuming your username is near your location,) you just have to be patient. Garage sales and flea markets will probably be your best bets, especially as our seasonal residents begin returning north for the summer.
There are also some great deals to be had in this forum's "for sale" section, but you have to watch it like a hawk
There are also some great deals to be had in this forum's "for sale" section, but you have to watch it like a hawk
02-09-12, 02:38 PM
#6
aka: Mike J.
Dumb luck and happenstance, and being in the right place at the right time. I've walked into a thrift shop before and saw someone wheeling out a nice bike that they just bought, I probably missed getting that one by less than ten minutes. But likewise I've seen people walking into a thrift store giving me the puppydog look as I walked out with a bike I just bought, so sometimes I got lucky.
Craigslist in neighboring areas is good to watch as well. Use the site:craigslist.org brandname search in Google if you're looking for something specific.
Craigslist in neighboring areas is good to watch as well. Use the site:craigslist.org brandname search in Google if you're looking for something specific.
__________________
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Life happens, don't be a spectator.
= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Life happens, don't be a spectator.
02-09-12, 03:10 PM
#7
Steel80's
I would think the Space Coast would be a great place to ride a fixed gear bike since it's flat. Having done a bunch of conversions myself, try to find a more generic one (like a Schwinn, Raleigh, something Japanese) in good shape for your first one. Messing around with stuck, rusty parts, and oddball threads is no fun. Bottom brackets and headsets can be trouble.
Take a look at fixedgeargallery.com for lots of great ideas & inspiration. Just please don't make a clown bike with goofy riser bars & grips, aero wheels, etc. that really IS hype.
And to answer your question, garage sales, and even better, town-wide garage sales & clean-up days. I've also heard end-of semesters at colleges (FIT?) are good sources
Take a look at fixedgeargallery.com for lots of great ideas & inspiration. Just please don't make a clown bike with goofy riser bars & grips, aero wheels, etc. that really IS hype.
And to answer your question, garage sales, and even better, town-wide garage sales & clean-up days. I've also heard end-of semesters at colleges (FIT?) are good sources
Last edited by vinfix; 02-09-12 at 03:13 PM.
02-09-12, 03:44 PM
#8
Steel is real, baby!
Carig's List is my friend!
02-09-12, 04:12 PM
#9
Thrifty Bill
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Mountains of Western NC
Posts: 23,523
Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more
Mentioned: 96 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1236 Post(s)
Liked 964 Times
in
628 Posts
Cast a wider net. Accept more common brands. Look for deals. Be agnostic on size. Find a bike that's a deal, but is not your size. Clean it up, sell it for full market, then use the cash to pay full market for the bike of your dreams.
I see too many people waiting for the deal, that must be their size. I think this is a big mistake. I have a lot more luck finding bikes when I do not worry about the size. And I don't mind paying full market for my dream bike, when that money came from two, three or four flips of other bikes.
Look beyond C/L. That's just part of the market.
What paid for my Colnago? Profits on a handful of bikes: a 1975 Peugeot UO8, a 1971 Schwinn Super Sport, and a couple of other bikes. None of these bikes fit me. But they fit their new owners.
And if you want to score a great deal on C/L, you have to be willing and ready to jump into your car immediately, drive a fair distance, with cash in pocket, and have a few of those deals not work out. If you want to wait until it is convenient, or pester the seller with questions for more details/sizes/pictures/whatever, while you wait, someone else is in their car and closing the deal.
The last bikes I bought off C/L were 105 miles away, one way.
As far as where do I find bikes? It changes all the time. What worked two years ago, didn't work last year, what worked last year, isn't working this year. Word of mouth continues to work throughout. Everybody knows I am looking for old bikes.
I see too many people waiting for the deal, that must be their size. I think this is a big mistake. I have a lot more luck finding bikes when I do not worry about the size. And I don't mind paying full market for my dream bike, when that money came from two, three or four flips of other bikes.
Look beyond C/L. That's just part of the market.
What paid for my Colnago? Profits on a handful of bikes: a 1975 Peugeot UO8, a 1971 Schwinn Super Sport, and a couple of other bikes. None of these bikes fit me. But they fit their new owners.
And if you want to score a great deal on C/L, you have to be willing and ready to jump into your car immediately, drive a fair distance, with cash in pocket, and have a few of those deals not work out. If you want to wait until it is convenient, or pester the seller with questions for more details/sizes/pictures/whatever, while you wait, someone else is in their car and closing the deal.
The last bikes I bought off C/L were 105 miles away, one way.
As far as where do I find bikes? It changes all the time. What worked two years ago, didn't work last year, what worked last year, isn't working this year. Word of mouth continues to work throughout. Everybody knows I am looking for old bikes.
Last edited by wrk101; 02-09-12 at 04:20 PM.
02-09-12, 05:02 PM
#10
Fat Guy on a Little Bike
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 15,944
Bikes: Two wheeled ones
Mentioned: 42 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1254 Post(s)
Liked 345 Times
in
174 Posts
Cast a wider net. Accept more common brands. Look for deals. Be agnostic on size. Find a bike that's a deal, but is not your size. Clean it up, sell it for full market, then use the cash to pay full market for the bike of your dreams.
I see too many people waiting for the deal, that must be their size. I think this is a big mistake. I have a lot more luck finding bikes when I do not worry about the size. And I don't mind paying full market for my dream bike, when that money came from two, three or four flips of other bikes.
Look beyond C/L. That's just part of the market.
What paid for my Colnago? Profits on a handful of bikes: a 1975 Peugeot UO8, a 1971 Schwinn Super Sport, and a couple of other bikes. None of these bikes fit me. But they fit their new owners.
And if you want to score a great deal on C/L, you have to be willing and ready to jump into your car immediately, drive a fair distance, with cash in pocket, and have a few of those deals not work out. If you want to wait until it is convenient, or pester the seller with questions for more details/sizes/pictures/whatever, while you wait, someone else is in their car and closing the deal.
The last bikes I bought off C/L were 105 miles away, one way.
As far as where do I find bikes? It changes all the time. What worked two years ago, didn't work last year, what worked last year, isn't working this year. Word of mouth continues to work throughout. Everybody knows I am looking for old bikes.
I see too many people waiting for the deal, that must be their size. I think this is a big mistake. I have a lot more luck finding bikes when I do not worry about the size. And I don't mind paying full market for my dream bike, when that money came from two, three or four flips of other bikes.
Look beyond C/L. That's just part of the market.
What paid for my Colnago? Profits on a handful of bikes: a 1975 Peugeot UO8, a 1971 Schwinn Super Sport, and a couple of other bikes. None of these bikes fit me. But they fit their new owners.
And if you want to score a great deal on C/L, you have to be willing and ready to jump into your car immediately, drive a fair distance, with cash in pocket, and have a few of those deals not work out. If you want to wait until it is convenient, or pester the seller with questions for more details/sizes/pictures/whatever, while you wait, someone else is in their car and closing the deal.
The last bikes I bought off C/L were 105 miles away, one way.
As far as where do I find bikes? It changes all the time. What worked two years ago, didn't work last year, what worked last year, isn't working this year. Word of mouth continues to work throughout. Everybody knows I am looking for old bikes.
Once you get started, it sort of snow balls and before long you'll have far more than you want.
02-09-12, 05:26 PM
#11
Hopelessly addicted...
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Central Maryland
Posts: 4,955
Bikes: 1949 Hercules Kestrel, 1950 Norman Rapide, 1970 Schwinn Collegiate, 1972 Peugeot UE-8, 1976 Raleigh Sports, 1977 Raleigh Sports, 1977 Jack Taylor Tandem, 1984 Davidson Tandem, 2010 Bilenky "BQ" 650B Constructeur Tandem, 2011 Linus Mixte
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 10 Times
in
9 Posts
Sheesh, you have it easy. My last two buys (1951 Raleigh Lenton Tourist and 1961 Fiorelli Tandem) were 500 miles ONE WAY! They were not flips. 
02-09-12, 10:14 PM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Orlando, Florida
Posts: 625
Mentioned: 3 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
3 Posts
Sattelite, There is a Frejus at Orange Cycle in Orlando hanging on a wall. This one is off of Princeton and Edgewater. The bike is black and it is a track bike. The owner is a nice guy. You may want to talk with him about it. This weekend there is going to be a mini bike/parts swap at that location. I'm planning on attending. I'll keep an eye in my area for you! Good luck!
Flash
Flash
02-13-12, 07:14 AM
#14
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 13
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Flash, my girlfriend actually lives in College Park, less than a mile from Orange Cycle. I heard they were having some kind of event but didn't ride over there until about 4:00pm and everyone must have already closed up shop. Everyone there is really helpful and they let me bring my dog in the store, which is cool because she goes everywhere with me. Did you go? If so, how was it?
02-13-12, 08:25 AM
#16
Bianchi Goddess
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Shady Pines Retirement Fort Wayne, In
Posts: 27,845
Bikes: Too many to list here check my signature.
Mentioned: 192 Post(s)
Tagged: 2 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2925 Post(s)
Liked 2,921 Times
in
1,489 Posts
Here (bike forum)
Ebay (this is post cleanup {arrived very dirty** and some retrofitting for better fit)
Craigslist (I had a big assist from a fellow BF/C&Ver getting this shipped from Chicago)
a guy at work
OH thats right this is still a secret, for over a year now too
Ebay (this is post cleanup {arrived very dirty** and some retrofitting for better fit)
Craigslist (I had a big assist from a fellow BF/C&Ver getting this shipped from Chicago)
a guy at work
OH thats right this is still a secret, for over a year now too
__________________
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
Last edited by Bianchigirll; 02-13-12 at 08:29 AM.
02-22-12, 04:40 PM
#17
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 13
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Flash, funny you mention Lejeune because my girlfriend came through for me on Valentine's Day and surprised me with a 1959 Lejeune frame and had it shipped from overseas. It is a satin red, with baby blue accents, and it is awesome!
02-22-12, 05:07 PM
#18
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Normal, Illinois
Posts: 2,714
Bikes: Trek 600 ,1980Raleigh Competition G.S., 1986 Schwinn Passage, Facet Biotour 2000, Falcon San Remo 531,Schwinn Sierra, Sun Seeker tricycle recumbent,1985 Bianchi Squadra
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 33 Post(s)
Liked 12 Times
in
9 Posts
I find mine at Pawnshops, CL, CS (Church Sale) and garage sales .
Bikes can be absurdly inexpensive at garage sales .
Bikes can be absurdly inexpensive at garage sales .
02-22-12, 06:04 PM
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: N Central Illinois
Posts: 1,288
Bikes: 12 Bianchi Oltre VDCM,11 Bianchi Cavaria, 13 Bianchi Cavaria,12 Bianchi infinito, couple vintage Bianchi's and a 1980 alan super record
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
02-22-12, 06:10 PM
#20
Elitest Murray Owner
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,657
Bikes: 1972 Columbia Tourist Expert III, Columbia Roadster
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
2 Posts
I don't find bikes anymore. When I lived in Denver, bikes were everywhere. Every garage sale, every thrift shop, out in the garbage...
When I lived in Seattle I was lucky to find a guy who had a huge collection of bikes just outside of town, and every now and then something interesting like an Astra would show up at the goodwill.
When I lived in Georgia - absolutely zip. Nothing. The only thing around was lots of fat tire beach cruisers from W-mart.
In Texas, pretty much the same deal. I think southerners just hated bikes in the 60s and 70s. They show up a lot on CL, but always for ludicrous asking prices. I never see anything interesting at the thrift shops. The last couple of bikes I got I bought online and had them shipped, and it still was a huge bargain compared to what people are asking in this town.
When I lived in Seattle I was lucky to find a guy who had a huge collection of bikes just outside of town, and every now and then something interesting like an Astra would show up at the goodwill.
When I lived in Georgia - absolutely zip. Nothing. The only thing around was lots of fat tire beach cruisers from W-mart.
In Texas, pretty much the same deal. I think southerners just hated bikes in the 60s and 70s. They show up a lot on CL, but always for ludicrous asking prices. I never see anything interesting at the thrift shops. The last couple of bikes I got I bought online and had them shipped, and it still was a huge bargain compared to what people are asking in this town.
02-22-12, 06:19 PM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Normal, Illinois
Posts: 2,714
Bikes: Trek 600 ,1980Raleigh Competition G.S., 1986 Schwinn Passage, Facet Biotour 2000, Falcon San Remo 531,Schwinn Sierra, Sun Seeker tricycle recumbent,1985 Bianchi Squadra
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 33 Post(s)
Liked 12 Times
in
9 Posts
No,but I'm sure somebody does .There's a guy in Gridley that has some
02-22-12, 06:38 PM
#22
Bicycle Repair Man !!!
Bike faeries...
02-23-12, 09:28 AM
#25
Banned.
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 680
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Probably the oldest bike shop in Houston Texas, West Side Bike Shop has more classic and antique bicycles than I've seen in one bike shop. Every once in a while they sell one of the bikes that have been hanging on a wall for the past 30 plus years. I don't get in there as often as I would like since it normally takes me about 5 hours to get there. They do a heck of business being in the middle of the higher income neighborhood and Yuppie Zone.
